Bronco halfback Ben Hunt has been added to the Kangaroo squad to play in the Four Nations rugby league tournament in November, and for the Prime Minister’s squad against Papua New Guinea on September 29.
The 24-year-old Rockhampton born Hunt has been recognised at national level before State of Origin.
No surprise in that, as Hunt has superb skills and was instrumental in the Broncos making the play-offs when all appeared lost.
That’s no surprise either, as Hunt has the traits of an Allan Langer and Cooper Crock, and they haven’t come any better than that out of Maroon territory.
Hunt has vision, the ability to make a break, when in the clear he looks for – and finds – support, and is solid in defence. All the attributes of Langer and Cronk.
Langer is second on the list of most Queensland Origin caps with 34, just behind Darren Lockyer’s 36. But Storm, Queensland, and Kangaroo skipper Cameron Smith is closing fast on both Lockyer and Langer with 33.
Cronk is 30, and barring injury still has a good few years in him to add to his 14 Origins and 22 Tests. So Hunt may well have to bide his time to be in the big time, but better to be recognised and in the swim that on the outer looking in. Having said that, Cronk had better keep his high standard on the boil, or Hunt may yet get an early call.
It’s mindful of Adam Gilchrist putting pressure on Ian Healy in the Australian cricket team. In the end, national selectors had no option but to fully recognise the elite talent of Gilchrist, and for the next decade Gilchrist rewrote the wicketkeeper-batsman manual in international cricket.
Keep an eye on Ben Hunt, he’s going places.
The Kangaroo squad so far:
Ben Hunt, Corey Parker, Dale Copley, Josh McGuire, Justin Hodges, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, Beau Scott, Kurt Gidley, Willie Mason, Anthony Milford, Jack Wighton, Jarrod Crocker, Josh Papalii, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Michael Gordon, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Will Chambers, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Aidan Sezer, Dave Taylor, Greg Bird, and Jacob Lillyman.
More will be added to the squad as clubs end their NRL commitment.
dallas
Guest
I think corey norman is better suited to fullback. He is a better ball runner than ball player
dallas
Guest
Its because he is the only option to kick the footy on the 5th. He is easy to pick off. Some teams like manly for example have 3 or 4 options - DCE, foran, brett and glenn stewart. Same with melbourne, penrith and parra. if hunt gets a decent halves partner who is a specialist half, hunts game will improve so much more. I dont think he is anywhere near his best yet. I think in 3 or 4 years he will be the best half in the comp. He can score or set up a try from nothing, not many of the young halves coming through can do much more than play to a structure - hit there edge runner short or throw it out the back to the fullback. Adam Reynolds, hodkinson and pearce fall under this category.
Casper
Guest
I'm basically a broncos supporter, give or take a few reservations about their recruitment,but you've got to be kidding if the headline is serious. Did anyone miss the Broncos v Storm game where Cronk single handedly set up or scored all Melbourne's tries, except for the one Ben Hunt gave them from a deft pass to a Storm player? Hunt has had a good season individually, but has struggled to lead the team around the park and his kicking game can be abysmal at times.Well worth rewarding with a train on spot just to give him exposure to that environment, but I'd be backing the poms or kiwis if he's our test halfback. Thurston spanked him, Cronk spanked him, Shaun Johnson & Cherry-Evans outpointed him & he's held his own against most of the rest. The measure of his worth would be if the club could swap him next season for DCE, would you say yes?.I would.
Jay C
Roar Guru
By doing literally nothing and just never getting the ball, Ben Barba has been better for us.
Jay C
Roar Guru
A man after my own heart parrafan. But no. No, there were big celebrations in my house when the 100 percent visionless Norman took up Stuarts offer in Parramatta. Excellent skills, but probably the most frustrating footballer I have ever seen. Inexplicably chooses to run the ball with a two man overlap out wide, or better yet passes with a yawning gap in front of him. Defence rushing up? No point kicking, I will just throw an intercept pass. Yeah. He's yours now. No backsies.
cr
Guest
Hunt does not meet the cut!
crober
Guest
Alex Johnston, Nene MacDonald, Roy Thompson and James Segeyaro have all put their representative choice as the PNG Kumuls. So you can count those guys out for the Kangaroos / PM side.
parrafan
Guest
Jay c I'd hazard that Corey Normans 5th tackle options are worse than Hunts. Care to trade?
dallas
Guest
Yea he was australian schoolboys half back 2007 and NYC player of the year 2008 at 17 years old. He was always going to be a very good first grader, not a hooker though.
Albo
Guest
Spot on ! Hunt has a long way to go yet ! QLD have a whole bunch of good half-back contenders for him to get over ( DCE, Cronk, JT) He went missing badly up at Townsville last weekend just when his team needed him the most ! No denying his ability but It has been a bit of a trend , his lack of consistency !
Joel
Guest
As outstanding as Hunt has been this year that 5th tackle option has been a problem or weakness in his game, and may have even cost games for the Broncs. If super coach & Hunt himself can fix this issue though, QLD could be looking at more outstanding depth in the halves positions and the Broncs will definitely be contending finals footy next year.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi David, I am not sure what motivated this story but Ben Hunt has a long way to go to ever play for his state and/or country. His biggest problem which Bennett may solve his his ability to read play at the end of 5 tackles. he is often in "no man's land". DCE is only 25 and he is a class above.
scott
Guest
Jeez David, you're a harsh judge. Sure Coops didn't have the best year but I'd chalk that up to rep fatigue and a broken arm. Give him the benefit of the doubt instead of just labelling him a crock. For mine, Hunt has plenty of potential but also a long way to go. Fantastic running game but a patchy kicking game at best and isn't a great organiser at the moment. How much of that is his fault and how much is Griffin's will be made clear in the next year or two. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing him play in a team with better set plays and structures, and having a full season next to an actual 5/8 instead of a winger.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Agree. I used to think Hunt was so so, until he was finally given the chance to actually play halfback. He really stood out, but he was the under 20s play of the year for his year wasn't he? He's good, but I wouldn't think Cronk is under too much pressure yet... I think QLD lost this year because Cronk wasn't available for 1 and 2. Big call, and admittedly there were other factors involved, like DCE not training as halfback for game 1 (does that strike anyone else as stupid?) and then being injured for game 2, but just with Cronk even for the first 10 minutes of game 1, QLD were on, and all over NSW. Then he goes off, and NSW claw back over 70 minutes.
The eye
Guest
Sorry 'run on'should be starting 17
The eye
Guest
I'd like to see some new faces in the run on side,but not him..Josh Jackson off the bench for Sam,Parker for Gal,Guerra for Hoffman..give the Moz boys a rest and take Walker and Johnston from the Rabbits...leave Robbie F behind too.
Trenno
Guest
Realistically it's just a train on squad. Sezer, Gordon, McGuire & Copley are on that list too and are all behind in the pecking list. Hunts good but wont go near the final squad.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It certainly didn't help his defence. Henjak was an awful coach, look at his record after the Broncos. And Hook wasn't experienced enough. He might have what it takes but there were too many rookie errors, especially around the roster and using his interchange bench.
LexTeeS
Guest
That was gut wrenching viewing. Rotating Ben and Andrew McCullough never made sense to anyone I spoke to. If memory serves me correctly it was started by Henjak, and I would say was counterproductive to both players careers.
LexTeeS
Guest
Take note that he is sharing this list with Dave Taylor. So let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Not sure why you would say he has been recognised nationally before by his state. Did we forget that Ben Hunt was added to the maroons team as cover for Cherry Evans? I think that was certainly more recognition than being added to a train-on squad of 50 odd players.